Our presented data on cost and safety , together with case studies from medical centers who have successfully used reusable isolation gowns for years , should address common concerns about reusable PPE .
Policymakers can aid by ensuring a robust supply chain for reusable PPE , designing incentives for reusable PPE production and usage , and educating staff toward transitioning to reusable PPE practices .”
centers who have successfully used reusable isolation gowns for years , should address common concerns about reusable PPE . Policymakers can aid by ensuring a robust supply chain for reusable PPE , designing incentives for reusable PPE production and usage , and educating staff toward transitioning to reusable PPE practices .”
Although experts are starting to realize that there can be appropriate uses for each type of textile , Baker , et al . ( 2020 ) take a harder line by stating , “ It is no longer valid to indicate that reusables are better in some environmental impacts and disposables are better in other environmental impacts . The uniformity of life cycle results from multiple studies over the past decade may reduce the need for future studies of perioperative textiles and shift interest to other reusable OR medical products , such as laryngeal mask airways and suction canisters .”
References :
AHRQ . Topic Brief : Reusable Versus Disposable PPE . June 15 , 2020 . American Hospital Association . Sustainability Roadmap for Hospitals . Accessible at : http :// www . sustainabilityroadmap . org / pims / 247 #. YddOUGjMKUk ARTA . State of the industry report . Prescription for the New Normal in Healthcare
Textiles ? Lower Costs , Increased Efficiency , and Agility . 2021 .
Baker N , Bromley-Dulfano R , et al . COVID-19 Solutions Are Climate Solutions : Lessons From Reusable Gowns . Front Public Health . Nov . 25 , 2020 . https :// doi . org / 10.3389 / fpubh . 2020.590275
McQuerry M , Easter E and Cao A . Disposable versus reusable medical gowns : A performance comparison . Am J Infect Control . 2021 May ; 49 ( 5 ): 563-570 . doi : 10.1016 / j . ajic . 2020.10.013 . Epub 2020 Oct 20 . PMID : 33091509 PMCID : PMC7572274 DOI : 10.1016 / j . ajic . 2020.10.013
Overcash MR . A Comparison of Reusable and Disposable Perioperative Textiles : Sustainability State-of-the-Art 2012 . Anesthesia & Analgesia . Vol . 114 , No . 5 . May 2012 . Pp 1055-1066 . doi : 10.1213 / ANE . 0b013e31824d9cc3
Overcash MR and Sehulster LM . Estimated incidence rate of healthcare-associated infections ( HAIs ) linked to laundered reusable healthcare textiles ( HCTs ) in the United States and United Kingdom over a 50-year period : Do the data support the efficacy of approved laundry practices ? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol . ( 2021 ), 1-2 . doi : 10.1017 / ice . 2021.274
Practice Greenhealth . Pandemic perspective : Insights on healthcare sustainability in 2020 . 2021 . Accessible at :
https :// practicegreenhealth . org / sites / default / files / 2021- 12 / 2021-benchmark-covid-spotlight . pdf Practice Greenhealth . Transition from single-use disposables to reusables . TRSA . Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Reusable vs . Disposable Textiles . 2014 . Vozzola E , Overcash M and Griffing E . An Environmental Analysis of Reusable and Disposable Surgical Gowns . AORN J . 2020 Mar ; 111 ( 3 ): 315-325 . doi : 10.1002 / aorn . 12885 .
of information , resources , opportunities , possibilities , and values – and check that map constantly .” He then reviewed the microbial jungle , and the emerging pathogens of concern and the anatomy of gram positive and negative bacteria , the structure of viruses , including human coronaviruses , and the ability to successfully remove them from the environment and professional laundering services .
Panel member John Scherberger , CMIP , T-CSCT , T-CNACC , FAHE , VPE , of Healthcare Risk Mitigation , presented the talk , “ Healthcare Personnel Attire : Professional Processing , Handling and Storage ,” in which he discussed the risks associated with healthcare personnel attire and the need for professional healthcare certified laundry processes . He emphasized the CDC guidance indicating “ Hygienically clean laundry carries negligible risk to healthcare workers and patients , provided that the clean textiles , fabric , and clothing are not inadvertently contaminated before use .” ( Source : CDC Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities 2003 )
Scherberger also addressed the key topic of domestic versus industrial laundering of healthcare attire , pointing to data from Owen and Laird ( 2020 ) who observed that , “ Domestic laundering of healthcare worker uniforms is a particular concern due to the lack of control and monitoring of decontamination , offering a route for potential pathogens to enter the clinical environment . Industrial laundering of healthcare worker uniforms provides greater assurances of adequate decontamination compared to domestic laundering , due to the ability to monitor laundering parameters ; this is of particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize any risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission .”
Another important textiles-related issue is proper storage , handling , processing , and transportation of healthcare linens to minimize contamination . He referred to Joint Commission Standard PCI . 7.1 which states , “ The proper management of laundry and linen can result in reduced contamination of clean linen and infection risk to staff from soiled laundry and linen . Laundry and linen management are appropriate to minimize risk to staff and patients .’
As Scherberger explained , “ There are clear standards and guidelines for handling contaminated HCTs , but nothing regarding the handling , storage , and distribution of hygienically clean healthcare textiles . So , he posed the questions : How do facilities carry out those directives without standardized and accepted processes ? Left to their own devices , facilities will institute appropriate processes , overzealous processes , impotent processes , or no processes .” He then quoted CMS 483.65 ( c ) which states , “ Personnel must handle , store , process and transport linen so as to prevent the spread of infection .” Applicable to contaminated and hygienically clean HCTs .” Scherberger said , “ Unfortunately , too many facilities interpret this requirement as applicable to contaminated HCTs only , not hygienically clean healthcare textiles .”
Scherberger emphasized the importance of trusting the system , but verifying , meaning that all stakeholder – whether environmental services , laundry management , infection prevention and control , risk management and quality improvement -- should visit the healthcare laundry facility , whether contracted or in-house , to review processes and cleanliness .
www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • march 2022
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